Turkey Vultures Return to the Living Sign celebrates the annual return of turkey vultures, a natural event that signals the arrival of spring across many parts of North America. Every year on March 11, this unusual Weird National observance encourages nature enthusiasts to watch for these impressive birds as they glide effortlessly through the sky. As an important part of Wildlife, turkey vultures help keep ecosystems healthy by cleaning up carrion and limiting the spread of disease. Although the bird shares its name with Turkey, the observance honors the species itself and the seasonal renewal its return represents.